Wine Poached Pears Recipe

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There’s something effortlessly romantic about poached pears—they’re soft, fragrant, and soak up every bit of flavor from the spiced wine they simmer in. This Wine Poached Pears recipe keeps things simple but luxurious, making it perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat.

This fortified red wine infused with premium chocolate sets the stage for a rich, indulgent dessert.

My brother gave me this wonderful wine...

The pears slowly absorb the richness of the wine, cinnamon, and citrus, transforming into a dessert that’s both light and indulgent. And instead of fussing over crème anglaise, I went with a shortcut—melted vanilla bean ice cream. Same ingredients, same creamy contrast, but with zero extra effort.

He told me to drizzle the wine over some vanilla ice cream, but I have better ideas...

Poached pears have been around for centuries, with variations found in French and Italian desserts. Traditionally, they’re simmered in wine or syrup, sometimes with honey, spices, or even caramel.

These pears are gently poached in chocolate wine until tender and deeply infused with flavor.

Pears are poached...

The beauty of this dish is its balance—the pears stay tender but hold their shape, and the reduced wine sauce thickens into a syrupy glaze that brings everything together. A little grated dark chocolate on top adds just the right touch of indulgence.

Served on a pool of vanilla cream and finished with a shower of shaved chocolate.

If you’re looking for an easy, no-stress dessert that feels fancy but requires minimal effort, this is it. The pears can be poached ahead of time, making them perfect for a Valentine’s dinner (or just treating yourself).

When served over melted ice cream, they’re warm, cool, sweet, and spiced all at once—the kind of dessert that feels special but doesn’t keep you stuck in the kitchen. No excuses now—go make this for someone you love!

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Ingredients:

(Serve 3)

• Rubis Chocolate Velvet Ruby Wine, 750g Or Any Sweet Dessert Wine

• Granulated Sugar, 150g

• Cinnamon Stick, 1

• Cloves, 8

• Star Anise, 2

• Fresh Orange Zest, 1 Orange

• Fresh Orange Juice, 1 Orange

• Pears Preferably Bosc, 3

• Melted Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, For Serving

• High Quality Dark Chocolate, For Grating

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Equipment:

• Sauce Pot

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Directions:

1. Transfer wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, orange zest and juice to a sauce pot.

2. Turn the heat up to medium low.

3. Stir and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved.

4. Remove from heat and set it aside.

5. Peel the pears.

6. Slice the bottom to create a flat surface.

7. With a melon baller, remove the core and seeds starting from the bottom.

8. Transfer to the wine mixture.

9. *Work with 1 pear at a time as pears oxidize fast.*

10. Return to heat and bring it up to a slow simmer.

11. Simmer for 30 to 45 mins or until the pears are soft and tender.

12. Create a cartouche with a piece of parchment to cover the pears, making sure the pears are fully submerged.

13. Cover and chill in the fridge overnight.

14. The next day, remove the poached pears and place them on a tray.

15. Drain the wine mixture and bring it up to a simmer.

16. Reduce until thickened and coat the back of a spoon.

17. Serve the poached pears with a bed of melted ice cream.

18. Drizzle that reduced wine sauce over the top.

19. Lastly, grate some dark chocolate for garnishing.

20. Serve immediately.

Absolutely no excuse for you not to make this for your special one this Valentine's Day...

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Recipe Video: